Evening (2007)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765447/
Director: Lajos Koltai / Script: Susan Minot & Michael Cunningham
Runtime: 117min.
Cast: Claire Danes, Patrick Wilson, Hugh Dancy, Mamie Gummer, Toni Colette, Natasha Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave, Meryl Streep
Genre: Drama / Romance
Tagline: Her greatest secret was her greatest gift.

The movie puts on screen the romantic past and the present state of Ann Lord. The drama in the present focuses on the mother-daughter relationship of Ann and her children; the past, consisting of flashbacks, presents the young Ann, and her story of lost love, which results in two narratives in the movie. There are constant shifts from present to the past: the present depicts the aged Ann’s slow death and her struggle with her memories of the past, and also presents the life and conflicts of her two daughters, Connie and Nina. The past gives us insight into Ann’s memories of her youth, of the only man she ever loved.

Though the two narratives seem almost equally developed in the script, the mystery of the past gains more interest. The past unfolds mostly around one major event, namely Lila’s wedding. The cast is well-chosen. The resemblance of the young and old Lila is remarkable, no wonder, they are embodied by a real-life mother and daughter. Harris, whom everyone is in love with, is charming indeed, the way he looks at Ann melts hearts, and the young Ann is strikingly beautiful. I’ve read that for the role of Ann, Keira Knightley was considered, and though I like her too, I’m glad Claire Danes got to play Ann. For some reason it suits her better considering the movies she and Keira played in; and she makes a stunning couple with Patrick Wilson. Lila gets married with a man she doesn’t love; her character is admirable; Mamie Gummer is lovely. Ann sings at Lila’s wedding and in some more scenes. The movie was filmed in Rhode Island; the mansion on Newport Beach is a beautiful sight, quite a place to remember on one’s deathbed, especially if such a love affair was related to it. What I most liked about the soundtrack is that there is a recurrent melody, though it’s quite a sad tune. I also liked the costume design; at times Ann was wearing the most enchanting dresses. Even from the start we have a feeling that Buddy, Ann’s friend is in fact in love with her. His disappearance prefigures the tragedy that awaits him. Ann has a brief affair with the mysterious Harris, who she is unable to forget. Besides Harris’ memory, she is troubled by thinking of herself as a terrible mother. There are also some strange scenes from the present which must be Ann’s delusions. The old Ann gets visited by the old Lila, and finally makes peace with herself.

The story is touching and a bit sad, but ends optimistically. It is a powerful movie, nicely told, with strong themes. It’s quite sad how beauty fades with time, and we can hardly imagine how someone looked like when young. At times, the script could have used some more explanation, but I guess it would have meant the loss of that nostalgic aura which the movie is surrounded with. For example, I can’t imagine why Ann and Harris’ affair end; there is no explanation for it. However, the movie provides with subtle teachings about life, love and human relationships, respectively motherhood. It’s a quite an emotional and mature piece.